Backward facing finger grip for a device

ABSTRACT

A gripping surface for an electronic device, such as a large mobile phone, which enables a user to hold the device more firmly with both one and two hands, and thus provide inputs to the front of the device over a wider area and or with greater precision. The grip is positioned at the center back of the body of the device and can be molded as part of the device, or the device case, or attached separately to either the device or device case. The grip consists out of a pattern of knobs and dimples that allow the index, middle and ring finger to exert a force inward toward the hand palm which balances that force against the edge of the device, as well as forces normal and parallel to the device which balance that force against of the weight of the device.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is related to touch screen electronic devices and accessories.

2. Related Applications

Touch enabled devices, such as smart phones, have increasing screen sizes. In addition, accessories, such as battery and protective cases further increase the girth of these devices. This makes it harder for more and more people to reach the front facing touch screen with their thumbs while simultaneously gripping the device.

No-slip protective covers for mobile phones are widely available, for example Egrips® anti-slip protective skin, however in order to grip, these covers still require the hand to fully reach both edges of the device in order to generate the normal forces required for friction. Hand grip for electronic devices (U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,832 B2) is a backward facing device strap touching the back of the hand in order to generate the grip forces. In this case one hand is required to slip the device strap on the other hand. In addition, it the grip will only allow the display to be shown in either portrait or landscape orientation unless the user rotates his whole hand or arm which either moves the display away from the center of view or creates twisting stresses in the arm. The grip attachment for a mobile phone (U.S. Pat. No. 8,385,974 B1) creates a handle type extension to the mobile phone which allows for one hand operation when taking photographs. However, it significantly increases the size of the mobile device. It would be advantageous to have a small and light grip for large devices that allow the user to operate the device using only one hand.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gripping surface for an electronic device, such as a large mobile phone, which enables a user to hold the device more firmly with both one and two hands, and thus provide inputs to the front of the device over a wider area and or with greater precision.

The gripping surface can be an integral part of the back cover of the device or attached as a separate molded pad. The grip is ideally manufactured from a non-slip material.

The grip is positioned at the center back of the body of the device and can be molded as part of the device, or the device case, or attached separately to either the device or device case. The grip consists out of a pattern of knobs and dimples that allow the index, middle and ring finger to exert a force inward toward the hand palm which balances that force against the edge of the device, as well as forces normal and parallel to the device which balance that force against of the weight of the device.

This grip allows the user to pick up and control a device with either one hand or two hands. The finger grip pattern ideally consists out of a symmetric knob and dimple pattern, so the device can be grasped in an upright (portrait) and horizontal (landscape) mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the back of an electronic device with a manufactured prototype finger grip in the middle of the device. The prototype finger grip consists out of a pattern of knobs and dimples.

FIG. 2 shows the back of the electronic device in portrait mode held by one hand. The grip is made with the ring, middle and index fingers in combination hook formed by the base of the index finger and thumb (cagina). The thumb is on the front of the device and not visible.

FIG. 3 shows the side electronic device in portrait mode held by one hand. It shows how the grip is made with the ring, middle and index fingers in combination hook formed by the base of the index finger and thumb (cagina). This allows for maximum thumb range on the front of the device. The pinky finger is on the back of the device for additional control forces.

FIG. 4 shows the back of the electronic device in landscape mode held by both hands. The ring, index and middle fingers of each of the hand grip in opposite direction. The pinky finger slides under the device to provide additional support for the weight of the device. In this case, the whole area of the front of the device can be covered by a combination of both the left and right thumbs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the invention of a finger grip 11 positioned on the back of a device 10. The middle of the finger grip 11 is near the center of gravity of the device 20. The finger grip 11 consists out of a patter on raised knobs 12 and recessed dimples 13. The finger grip 11 can either be an integral part of the device 10 or part of the device 10 separate back cover, or the finger grip 11 can be a separate pad made from non-slip material that is attached to a device.

FIG. 2 shows the back of the electronic device 38 in portrait mode held by one hand 34. The ring finger 36, middle finger 33 and index finger 35 are positioned in the dimples. For example the middle finger 33 covers dimple 31 and pushes against knobs 32. Dimple 31 and knobs 32 are shaded on the drawing because they are covered by the hand. The pinky finger 37 can exert additional forces for control against the bottom back of the device 38.

FIG. 3 shows the same hand 43 of FIG. 2, but now from a bottom (side) view except that the pinky finger is removed for clarity. The ring finger 44 now becomes visible and the top of the ring finger 46 lies on the dimple formed by edges of knobs 45 and 43. Similarly the middle and index fingers are also positioned between the other knobs. The user can now exert a gripping force on the top of the ring finger 46 which is balanced by the palm and cagina 42 that conform around the edge of the device 47. The thumb 41 is now free touch a large area on the front of the device 48.

FIG. 4 shows the back of the same device 55 in landscape mode or alternatively a much wider device in portrait mode. In this case the width of the device 55 is much larger and the front facing screen (not shown) cannot be covered by the thumb (not shown). The grip of device 56 is now achieved by a combination of both hands 52 and 53 ring, middle and index fingers positioned in the finger grip dimples 51 and the rest of the right hand 52 and the left hand 53. The fingers in each hand grip towards the palm and cagina of the same hand, thus firmly securing the device. The side of the pinky finger 54 on each hand 53, 52 can be used to help supported the weight of the device. This will allow both thumbs to cover the front panel of the device 55.

Since in FIG. 4 device grip 56 is used in both portrait and landscape mode, it can be advantageous to use a vertical and horizontal symmetric dimple and knob pattern. As shown in FIG. 1 the horizontal and vertical rows formed by the dimples 13 should accommodate the width of the fingers. The knobs 12 and dimples 13 should also be ideally made of a non-slip material such as silicone or rubber or a grooved plastic surface.

Because the fingers 35, 33 and 36 as shown in FIG. 2 are somewhat different for each person, it would be advantageous to offer the device grip 56 in different dimple 31 and knob 32 dimensions. In addition there is variety in the size of the devices that may necessitate additional vertical or horizontal rows of the dimple 31 and knob 32 patterns. Furthermore it may be advantageous to custom design the dimple 31 and knob 32 pattern for various hand and finger geometries. For that purpose one can envision that an individual's hand geometry is scanned in advance or that an impression mold of the hand is made. Alternatively, a photograph of the hand next to an object of known size (like a quarter) could be used to identify finger and hand geometry. For each individual's specific hand geometry and each specific device geometry an optimal grip pattern can be manufactured. 

1. A finger grip located at the center back of a device, comprising; a pattern of knobs and dimples where the users ring, middle and index fingers fits in the dimples between the knobs in order to enable a user to exert forces against the grip with his fingers which are balanced by the forces by the rest of his hand and the device itself, thus allowing one hand operation with increased thumb reach on the front of the device.
 2. The device according to claim 1 is a touch screen device.
 3. The finger grip of claim 1 is an integral part of a device case.
 4. The finger grip of claim 1 is a detachable attachment that can be locked in place against the back of the device or device case.
 5. The finger grip of claim 1 is an self-adhesive attachment that can be mounted against the back of the device or device case.
 6. The finger grip of claim 1 is customized for individual users' device, hands and fingers by offering separate sizes specific devices and specific dimple and knob spacing.
 7. The finger grip of claim 1 is dimensioned for individual users' device, hands and fingers through the use of hand and finger geometry scanners, and/or a photograph of the hand/device, and/or an impression mold.
 8. The customized finger grip of claim 7 is manufactured with 3D printing or other additive manufacturing technique.
 9. The finger grip of claim 1 is made of a non-slip material, such as silicone.
 10. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 is symmetric, allowing a grip with the left hand or the right hand or the left hand and the right hand while the device is either in portrait or landscape orientation.
 11. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 4 horizontal and 4 vertical knobs with 3 horizontal and 3 vertical dimples.
 12. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 5 horizontal and 4 vertical knobs with 4 horizontal and 4 vertical dimples.
 13. The pattern of knobs and dimples of claim 1 consists out of 6 horizontal and 6 vertical knobs with 5 horizontal and 5 vertical dimples.
 14. The pattern of dimples of claim 1 allows the ring, index and middle finger to lay flat between the rows of knobs. 